<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MAY 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAY-31-1998
<CASH>                                            1910
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    47977
<ALLOWANCES>                                      2011
<INVENTORY>                                      43835
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 96754
<PP&E>                                           26322
<DEPRECIATION>                                   13712
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  137936
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            22510
<BONDS>                                          68575
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                            78
<OTHER-SE>                                       46773
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    137936
<SALES>                                         140129
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                140129
<CGS>                                            96428
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                    96428
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 31566
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                3259
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   8772
<INCOME-TAX>                                      3289
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               5483
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                      5483
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .71
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .70